Fluid ballast control system for machine for precision finishing of parts by controlled vibration



NDT I.. SYSTEM FOR MACHINE FOR PREC w. E. BRA 3,020,683 0 IsToN PARTS BYcoNTRoLLED vIBRATIoN Feb. 13, 1962 FLUID BALLAST CONTR FINISHING oFFiled oct. 31, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR www es, awww,

ATTORN Y J. LA, A. lWf/,///4/////// Feb. 13, 1962 w. E. BRANDT 3,02 683FLUID BALLAST CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MACHINE FOR PRECISION FINISHING OFPARTS BY CONTROLLED VIBRATION Filed Oct. 3l, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 yINVENTOR Wifi/0W Evra/MM?) O ATT NEY 3,020 683 ISION 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 W.E. BRANDT OL SYSTEM FOR MACHINE FOR PREC Feb. 13, 1962 FLUID BALLASTCONTR FINISHING OF PARTS BY CONTROLLED VIBRATION Filed Oct. 3l, 1958Ill. lll

IIIILIIIIII Il-' Illlllllnll l z -zhmmummwwmmwmmWmw m ||HU HH ATTORNEYUnitcd States Patent 3,020,683 Y i H FLUID BALLAST CONTROL SYSTEM FORMA- CHENE FOR PRECISION FINISHING F PARTS BY CONTRLLED VIBRATION WilliamE. Brandt, Red Lion, Pa., assigner, by mestre assignments, to BellIntercontinental Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Get. 31,1958, Ser. No. 771,095 7 Claims. (Cl. 51-163) My invention relatesbroadly to machines for the precision finishing of parts by controlledvibration and more particularly to an arrangement of fluid ballastcontrol for the counterweight shaft of a vibratory machine.

This invention is applicable to machines of the class set forth in mycopending applications for patent, Serial Number 641,399, filed February20, 1957, for Method and Apparatus for Precision Finishing of Parts andObjects by Controlled Vibration and application Serial Number 730,387,filed April 23, '1958 for Machine for Precision Finishing of Parts byControlled Vibration and application Serial Number D. 50,807, filed May8, 1958, now Patent No. D. l84,798, for Design for Machine for PrecisionFinishing of Parts by Controlled Vibration.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an arrangement ofhydraulic means for accurately controlling the amplitude of vibration ofa vibratory bowl machine for the precision nishing of parts.

Another object of my invention is to provide a fluid ballast arrangementfor controlling the amplitude of vibration of a vibratory bowl machinewhich completely eliminates centrifugally operated ilyweights andeccentric weights disclosed in the machines of my aforesaid copendingapplications for patent.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction ofvibratory bowl machine for the precision finishing of parts in which arotatably driven cylinder is journalled in opposite ends of thevibratory bowl and beneath the vibratory bowl where the hydrauliccylinder is diametrically divided into chambers one of which may bevariably filled with liquid for determining the offcenter mass of thecylinder for imparting vibration to the bowl as the cylinder isrevolved.

Still another object of my invention resides in the construction of anoff-center fluid ballast weight consisting of a compartmented cylinderconnected adjacent the bottom of a vibratory machine where thecentrifugal effect of the fluid ballast weight is determined by thequantity of fluid confined in an off-center portion of the compartmentedcylinder for imparting vibratory pulses to the bowl as the cylinder isrotatably driven.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction ofa sectionalized, rotatable, cylindrical, hydraulic counterweight forvibratory bowl machines as set forth more fully in the specificationshereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. l is a frontV elevational view of a vibratory machine having ahydraulic counterweight attached thereto in accordance with my inventionwhere the hydraulic counterweight is broken away and illustrated insection to show the compartmented construction ofthe cylindricalcounterweight and the fluid chamber confined within one compartmentthereof forming the olf-'center counterweight necessary for impartingvibratory pulses tothe bowl as the `counterweight is rotatably driven;

FIG.` 2 is anenlarged transverse vertical'sectional view takensubstantially on line 2 2 of FIG. land showing particularly the mountingof the cylindrical counterweight with respect to the end ofthe vibratorybowl;M

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken through thecompartmented cylindrical counterweight of my invention and showingparticularlythe manner of filling and removing fluid from one of thecompartments of the counterweight for pre-determining the effectivecentrifugal action ofthe counterweight which is imparted to theassociated bowl; A

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transversesectional view taken on line 4 4 of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the fluid supply end ofthe cylindrical counterweight by which construction the quantity offluid in one of the compartments of the cylinder may be regulated; and vFIG. 7 isa plan view of one of the radially disposed division platesattached to the drive shaft 'of the rotatably driven counterweight fordividing the counterweight into internal compartments.

Mrvmvention is directed to an arrangement of hydraulic counterweight forimparting vibratory pulses to a vibratory bowl machine used for theprecision finishing of parts by controlled vibration. In lieu ofarrangements of spring controlled flyweights or centrifugally operatedweights illustrated in my applications #641,399 and #730,387 supra, Iprovide a rotatably driven shaft carrying a cylindrical chamber which isdiametrically divided into a pair of hollow compartments into one ofwhich fluid is introduced or withdrawn through one end 0f the shaft. Ameasured quantity of fluid is thus maintained in one of the compartmentsto provide that mass necessary to develop centrifugal pulses when therotatable shaft is driven for imparting certain vibratory pulses to thevibratory bowl with which the cylinder is associated. The fluid isadmitted to one compartment under pressure or is withdrawn therefrom byvacuum to obtain that degree of ballast necessary to develop thevibratory pulses required for transmission to the vibratory bowl.Inasmuch as a measured quantity of fluid may thus be maintained in oneof the compartments off-center from the drive shaft, a very fine degreeof centrifugal force may be maintained to meet the vibratoryrequirements for the particular material under treatment in thevibratory bowl. The vibrations induced by the rotation of the hydrauliccylinder journalled in the lower limits of the ends of the bowl which isspring suspended from a suitable cradle cause movement of the materialand parts within the bowl for the vibratory treatment of the parts. Whenlooking down into the open top of the bowl the actual movement of thematerial and parts transversely of the bowl "is observed. Thistransverse movement is speeded up or retarded by a change in theeffective mass of the rotatably journalled cylinder. The speed andmovement of the material and parts is controlled by thevariablefillingofthe off-center compartment in the rotatable cylinder.Ordinarily controlled vibration is associated with the employment ofspring controlled ilyweights or the centrifugal weights both of whichrequire considerable machine wrk with inherent expenses both Withrespect to the `costiof parts and skill necessary in the manufacture andassembly of parts.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, reference character 1designates the bowl Aof the. vibratory machine which is mounted in thetiltable` cradle Z journalled in the frame 3 by means of stub shaftsljournalled in bearings 17 mounted on frame 3. The bowl is provided withopposite yen d plates 5 which extend downwardly beneath the bottom ofthe bow1 1 and support bearings 6 within which the longitudinallyextending' shaft 4 is journalled. The bearings 6 are mounted 1inthegend' plates ,5 inbearing retainers 7 and 8 with a gasket 9interposed -in the assembly as shown..

The bearing retainers 7 and partly support depending brackets 14 whichare clamped by means of plates 13 and bolts extending therethrough tothe elliptically arranged leaf springs which are supported at the topsby bridge plates 11 carried by cradle 2 and clamped thereon by means ofplate 12 and spacer bar 11a through which bolts 11b extend.

The opposite end plates 5 of bowl 1 carry angle members 15 which aremounted upon compression coil springs 16 erected on bridge plates 11 ofcradle 2 thereby insuring a very substantial spring cushion mounting forthe bowl 1.

The cradle 2 has a depending panel assembly 19 on one end thereofterminating in a bracket 20 serving as a mounting support for thehydraulically driven motor 21. The motor 21 operates a drive shaft 22which is connected through a coupling7 23 to the shaft 4 heretoforedescribed. The shaft 4 shown more clearly in FIG. 3 includes a pair ofspaced hubs 24 and 25 upon which the toroidal shaped headers 26 and 27are welded in position. Beyond the hubs 24 and 25 there are journalledcylindrical surfaces 2S and 29 on shaft 4 as shown, enabling the shaft 4to be journalled in the bearings 6 carried by the end plates 5 asheretofore explained.

The headers 26 and 27 are provided with recessed rims shown at 30 and 31adapted to receive the semi-cylindrical sections 33 and 34 constitutingthe cylinder 32. These semi-cylindrical sections 33 and 34 are welded inposition in the recessed rims 30 and 31 of the headers 26 and 27 asrepresented at 48 and are welded in position along their opposite linealedges to the ends of radially disposed partition plates 35 and 36 asrepresented at 39 and 40. The partition plates 35 and 36 are welded inposition along opposite sides of shaft 4 as represented at 37 and 38.The partition plates 35 and 36 have a contour represented more clearlyin FIG. 4 where the partition plate 36 has been illustrated having theopposite ends thereof recessed at 36a and 36b to conform with thecontours of hubs 24 and 25 thereby providing a watertight joint betweenthe partition plates 35 and 36, shaft 4 and the interior wall ofcylinder 32. The partition plates 35 and 36 divide the cylinder 32 intotwo sealed compartments designated at 49 and 50. Compartment 49 Simplyhas a dead air space but compartment 50 constitutes a container forfluid as will be hereinafter explained in more detail.

'I'he shaft 4 is provided with an internal bore adjacent the right handend thereof when the structure is viewed as in FIGS. l, 3 and 6. Theinternal bore 4 which extends from the external right hand end of shaft4 to a position just inside the header 27 where this bore 41 is joinedby a radially disposed bore 42 into which radially disposed tube 43extends. Fluid passing into bore 41 is changed in direction and passesradially through bore 42 and tube 43 into the compartment 50 where thefluid forms a pool or mass represented at 51 and constitutes thecounterweight which is maintained off-center as shaft 4 which revolvesand sets up vibratory pulses which are delivered to the bowl 1 for thecontrolled vibration of the material and parts contained therein.

The right hand end of the hollow shaft 4 is connected through rotaryjoint 44 and a cut off valve 45 with a fluid supply pipe 46 by whichtiuid is admitted under pressure through bore 41, tube 43 intocompartment 50 and then cut off by closing valve 45. In the event thattoo large a quantity of fluid 51 is permitted to enter chamber orcompartment 50 as indicated by the frequency of vibration to which bowlis subjected and pursuant to the rotary driving action to which cylinder32 is subjected, excess fluid may be withdrawn through tube 43 and bore41 by vacuum applied at the end of flexible line 46.

The hydraulic motor 21 which drives the shaft 4 is provided with a fluidin-take indicated at 47. Shaft 4 driven by hydraulic motor 21 developssuccessive thrust pulses as the fluid 51 in compartment 50 iscentrifugally thrown to the inside surface of the semi-cylindricalsection 34 of the cylinder 32. This off-center weight of cylinder 32produces pulses which are transferred to the bowl 1 through the ends 5thereof, thereby setting bowl 1 and the material and parts therein intocontrolled vibration for the controlled finishing of the parts. Thefrequency of the vibration treatment is regulated by the amount of fluid51 retained in the compartment 50. Such amount of fluid is readilycontrolled either by admission of fluid to compartment 50 under pressureof the extraction of fluid from compartment 50 through vacuum. Thismethod of frequency control of vibration is far more accurate than isobtainable through spring controlled iiyweights or centrifugallyoperated weights and at the same time all machining of such parts iseliminated.

The uid ballast centrifugal mass system has the particlular advantage ofreversibility. That is to say, the hydraulic motor 21 may be reversed indirection for changing the direction of the vibratory pulses impressedupon the bowl whereupon the material and the parts in the bowl movetransversely of the bowl in a direction opposite that in which theymoved prior to the reversal action.

I have found the fluid ballast method of frequency control set forthherein highly practical and successful in use and while I have set forthmy invention in certain of its preferred embodiments I realize thatmodifications may be made and I desire that it be understood that nolimitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed bythe scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is as follows:

l. In a machine for the precision finishing of parts by controlledvibration, a frame structure, a cradle tiltably journalled in said framestructure, a vibratory bowl resiliently mounted in said cradle andhaving end portions depending through said cradle to a position beneaththe bottom of said bowl, a rotatable cylinder extending longitudinallyof said bowl and rotatably journalled between said end portions of saidbowl beneath said bowl, said cylinder being divided into hollowcompartments, means for admitting uid into one of said compartmentswhile maintaining a dead air space in another of said compartments andmeans for rotatably driving said cylinder whereby centrifugal forcesdeveloped by the displacement of the uid in the said compartment of saidcylinder produce pulses which are transferred to said bowl as vibratoryforces.

2. Apparatus for controlling vibration in a vibratory bowl machinecomprising a vibratory bowl having opposite end portions dependingbeneath the bottom of the bowl, means for resiliently supporting saidbowl, a shaft extending longitudinally beneath the bottom of the bowland journalled at opposite ends in said end portions, a hollow cylindercarried by said shaft in a position beneath the bottom of said bowl,said cylinder being divided into compartments and being rigidly affixedto said shaft for rotation therewith, means extending through said shaftfor emitting or withdrawing fluid with respect to a selected compartmentof the compartments in said cylinder, and means for rotatably drivingsaid shaft and affixed cylinder, whereby displacement of the fluid insaid cylinder induces vibratory movement in said bowl.

3. In a machine for precision finishing of parts by controlledvibration, a vibratory bowl having opposite end portions dependingbeneath the bottom of the bowl, means for resiliently supporting saidvibratory bowl for vibratory movement, a hollow cylinder extendinglongitudinally beneath the bottom of the bowl, means for journalling`said cylinder in the end portions of said bowl for rotation beneathsaid bowl, a xed diametrically extending partition in said cylinder,dividing said cylinder into two hollow compartments, means fortransmitting uid into one of the compartments in said cylinder and meansfor rotatably driving said cylinder whereby centrifugal forces developedby the displacement of the fluid Within said compartment in saidcylinder are converted into pulses and transmitted to said bowl forsetting up vibratory movement within said bowl.

4. A machine for the precision iinishing of parts by controlledvibration comprising a vibratory bowl having its predominant axisextending longitudinally and terminating in end portions dependingbeneath the bottom of said bowl, means for resiliently supporting saidbowl, a rotary shaft jcurnalled in said end portions on an axiscoinciding with the predominant axis of sm'd bowl, a hollow cylinderrigidly afxed to and carried by said shaft in a position external to thebottom of said bowl, a pair of compartments Within said cylinder, meansextending through said shaft for introducing or withdrawing uid into orout of one of said compartments to provide an oficenter mass adjacentsaid shaft and means for rotatably driving said shaft Iand atlixedcylinder.

.5. A machine for precision finishing of parts by controlled vibrationas set forth in claim 4 in which said pair of compartments are formed bya pair of radially extending at partition plates carried by said shaftand wherein said cylinder is constituted by a pair of semi cylindricalsections connected thereto along the ends of said partition plates.

6. A machine for precision finishing of parts by controlled vibration asset forth in claim 4 in which the means extending through said shaft forintroducing fluid into one of said compartments is a hollow boreconnected through a transverse passage for the transmission of fluidinto and out of the compartment within said cylinder which receives theuid.

7. A machine for precision finishing of parts by con- `trolled vibrationas set forth in claim 4, in which said shaft is provided with a pair ofhubs spaced lineally from each other and wherein toroidal spaced headersare mounted on said hubs and wherein said cylinder is mounted on theperipheries of said headers, the said shaft containing journals inpositions beyond said hubs external to said headers for mounting saidshaft in said bearings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,370,504 Suelow Feb. 27, 1945 2,591,083 Maier Apr. 1, 1952 2,702,633Dekansk Feb. 22, 1955 2,722,840 Kececioglu Nov. 8, 1955 2,757,544 BeckerAug. 7, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 711,531 Great Britain July 7, 1954

